Apparatus for electroplating hollow tapes, ribbons, or bands.



F. A. PBLDKAMP.

APPARATUS FOR BLEGTROPLATING HOLLOW TAPES, RIBBONS, 0R BANDS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, 1912.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913'} 10 QHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR;

BY KA.FE1HRHH\F, @wd, mam/0M ATTORNEYS WITNESSES: F I Q P. A. FELDKAMP.APPARATUS FOR ELEG'IBOPLATING HOLLOW TAPES, RIBBONS, 0R BANDS.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 7, 1912.

mm 3 9 1H Q s g m HE A m f w m .w a P INVENTOR:

BY KA.FE1EKBF\F ATTORNEYS FIE Earn:

00 M J 7 m J I 5 I I/ M 2 M 4 o lr s A m 1 56 1 i 55/ 1/ 4 9Q P Q0 0 5 8A 3 7 6. 6 5 3 3 6 0 6 0 3 H m m 6 TI [A l w W 8 G! a n O a i I A F. A.FELDKAMP.

APPARATUS FOR ELEGTROPLAT ING HOLLOW TAPES, RIBBONS, R BANDS.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. '1, 1912.

1 ,07 1 ,037, Patented Aug. 26, 1913;

SHEETS-SHEET 3.

5 48 f WITNESSES:

a M fowda/ AT T0RNEYs F. A. FELDKAMP.

APPARATUS FOR ELBOTROPLATING HOLLOW TAPES, BIBBONS 0R BANDS.

APPLICATION FILED D150. 7, 1912.

00 A S HfiL m 6 m A m 2 Wm m m.\\ A a 123%.? Ah 0% P D... Wb m: N: am hl fl A 5 0... O O O O .0 00 0 0 F. A. FBLDKAMP.

APPARATUS FOB. ELEOTROPLATING HOLLOW TAPES, BIBBONS, B BANDS.

APPLICATION 311.21) mm. 7, 1912.

1,071,037. Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

- 1o sums-sum 5.

"WITNESSES: NTOR'.

KR/d Md, ATTORNEYS INVE BRA.FE1HKEF\ P. A. PELDKAMP.

APPARATUS FOR ELEGTBOPLATING HOLLOW TAPES, RIBBONS, 0B. BANDS.

APPLICATION FILED D20. 1, 1912.

1,071,037, v Patented Aug.26, 1913.

10 annms5nnm a,

' I Q v 128 INVENTOR'.

Heflerlc A Ealfllxanw,

law,

0 BY MW Mob ATTORNEYS F. A. EELBKAMP.

APPAEATUE FOR ELEOTROPLATING HOLLOW TAPES, RIBBONS, 0R BANDS.

AIPLIOATION FILED DBO. 7, 1912.

INVENTOR \O AF 1215 1% 6W ATTORNEYS l0 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

Freflenng WITNESSES F. A. PELDKAMP.

APPARATUS FOR ELEOTBOPLATING HOLLOW TAPES, RIBBONS, OR BANDS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC 7, 1912.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

INVENTOR fifiwdv ATTORNEYS FfaHancKPLFe lfl'KanW,

Cm u

/ Q WW3 mm mwm in 1 v -u x M a l A l E J mm E m3 mm ui v m\ Ill I. A.PBLDKAMP.

APPARATUS FOR BLEGTROPLATING HOLLOWTAPES, BIBBONS, 0R BANDS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, 1912. 1,071,037. Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

10 -BHEBTS-BHBBT 9.

HH'E'WW i H WHH'H I "l 7. go L0 iill' WITNESSES:

. ATTORNEYS P. A. FBLDKAMP. A ia'EEABATUS FOP. BLEGTROPLATING HOLLOWTAPES, BEBBONS, 0B. BANDS..

' APPLIOATIOH FILED DBO. 7, 1912.

gzh lilii a um I I 1 1 \lllimlpi w (Ting i l l l Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

10 BHEBTB8HEBT 10.

INVENTOR.

j ATTORNEYS State of New Jersey,

tion.

- UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

FREDERICK A. FELDKAMP, 0E NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, AssmnoE To' ELECTROLYTICraonnc'rs 00., A conronarron OF NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPTJATING HOLLOW TAPES, RIBBONS, 0R BANDS.

Patented A11. 26, 1913.

App1 ica.tion filed December 7, 1912. Serial No. 735,365.

To all whom it ma-y concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. FELD- KAMP, ing at Newark, in thecounty of Essex and have invented certain new and useful Improvements inApparatus for Electroplating Hollow Tapes, Ribbons,

or Bands; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specifica- This inventionrelates, provements in apparatus employed in the art ofelectro-deposition; and, the invention has reference, more particularly,to a novel apparatus and mechanism which is especially adapted for theproduction of onepiece metal structures in the form of hollow tapes,ribbons, or bands, to be used more particularly in the construction ofradiators for automobiles, and radiators generally, as set forth in myformer application for Letters-Patent therefor, filed April 3rd, 1912,Serial No. 688,338, and allowed August 14, 1912; and, which apparatus isalso adapted-for use with the Method or process of producing hollowtapes, ribbons or bands of metal, for which I did also make applicationfor Lette'rsPatent, filed April 12, 1912, Serial No. 690230.

The present invention, therefore ,'has for its principal object toprovide a novel and simply constructed apparatus or mechanism of thegeneral character hereinafter set forth and for the purposesherein-before stated, by means of which such'hollow tapes, ribbons, orbands of metal may be rapidly produced electrolytically and in one piecein a most simple and perfect manner, and at a comparatively reducedcost.

Other objects of the present invention not at this time moreparticularly enumerated understood from the followa citizen of theUnited States, resid-' the'invention consists, furthermore, in the novelarrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as .wellas in the details of the construction of the same, all

of which will be more fully described in the following specification,and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claim which are appendedto and which form an essential part of this specification.

The invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a side view of the one end-portion of theelectroplating tank and the mechanism located at said end of the tank;and Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional side elevations of the other end of theelectro-plating generally, to imtank and the mechanism located at saidend, Fig. 3 being a continuation of Fig. 2 at the line AB in bothfigures. Fig. 4 is a top or plan view' of the various parts representedin said Fig. 1, the upper driving mechanism which is shown in said Fig.1, however, being omitted from said View; and Figs. 5 and 6 are tively,of the parts represented in said Figs. 2 and 3, said Fig. 6 being acontinuation of said Fig. 5 at the line A,B"in said figures. Fig. 7 is alongitudinal vertical sectional representation of the parts representedin said Figs. 1 and 5; Fig. 8 is a similar sectional representation-ofthe parts represented in said Fig. 2; and Fig. 9 is a longitudinalvertical section of the parts represented in said Fig. 3, all of saidviews being made on enlarged scales. Fig. 10 is a detail face. view of acertain portion of the l1'11 in said Fig. "10, looking in the directionof the arrow Fig. 12 is a detail transverse vertical section, taken online 12-12 in Fig. 8, looking in the direction of .the arrow a; and Fig.12 is a cross-section on line ,12 12 in Fig. 12. E10. 13 is alongitudinal vertical section oi a portion of the electro-plating tanklocated between the endmechanisms of the tank; Fig. 14 is a verticalcross-section of the electro-plat-ing tank, said section beingrepresented as being taken on line 14-14 in said Fig. 13; and Fig. 15 isa similar cross-sectional representation of the electro-plating tank,near the one end-portion thereof, said section being represented top orplan views, respecas being taken on line 15--1'5 in said Fig. 9, all ofsaid views being made onenlarged scales. Fig. 16 is a face view ofacuttingface-portions of the tank thus formed by the said sides, ends andbase being suitably lined with an acidproof lining, as 6, as clearlyshown in the several figures of the rawings.

The tank is usually and preferably centrally divided, as shown in thepresent case, by a longitudinally extending partition or wall 7, andlocated at each end 3 and 4, and within the tank, is a. cylindricallyformed tubular element edges of the said longitudinally extendingpartition or wall 7 abut directly against the respective elements ormembers 8, and each a lower cutaway.

element or member 8 has portion 9 and an upper cut-away portion 10,providing suitable openings which establish communication between thetwo longitudinally extending chambers 11 and 12, thus formed'by thepartition 7 and said elements or members 8 in the main body of the elec-40 bro-plating tank, as will be clearly evident rom an inspection ofFigs; 7 and 9, and especially ofFig. 15 of the drawings.Suitably'mounted' upon a cross bar 16 of the framework 17 at the one end3 of the tank, is a bearing-member 18 which is-provided with bearings 19in which is 'rotatably mounted a vertical spindle 20, said spindle 20having its lower end-portion extending down'into her 8 within the maintank and near said end 3, and having mounted upon said lower end of thespindle a propeller or agitator, as 21. Rotary motion is conveyed tosaid vertical spindle 20. from a wheel 22 mounted upon a driven shaft 23located above the said electroplating tank, by means of a belt orflexible connection 24 which passes over said wheel 22, and over a pairof wheels 25 upon said bearing-member 18 and a wheel 26 mounted uponsaid spindle 20, substantially in the manner indicated in Fig. 1 of thedrawings. In alike manner, there is suitably mounted upon a crossbar 27of the frame-work 28, at the other end 4 of the main tank, abearing-member 29 which'is provided with bearings 30 in which isrotathereference-character 1 indi-.

3 and 4, and a base 5, the inner suror member, as 8. The end-' chamberedthe cylindrical element or memtably mounted a vertical spindle 31, saidspindle 31 having its lower end-portion extending down into the othercylindrical ele ment or member 8 within the main tank and near said end4, and having mounted upon said lower end of the spindle a propeller oragitator, as 32. Rotary motion is conveyed to said vertical spindle 31from a wheel 33 mounted, upon a' driven shaft 34 located above saidelectroplating tank, by means of a belt or flexible connection 35 whichpasses over said wheel 33, and over a pair of wheels 36 upon saidbearing-member 29 and a wheel 37 mounted upon said spindle 31, as willbe clearly seen from an inspection of Fig. 3 of the drawings. Thus itwill be clearly evident, when the two propellers or agitators 21 and 32.are set in operation, and are made to rotate in the same directions,that a con-- tinuous circulation of the electrolyte 13 contained in thechambered electroplating tank will be produced from the one chamberedportion of the tank into and through the cymember located at one end' ofthe tank, and through the other chambered portion of the tank into andthrough the other cylindrical element or lindricfal: element or memberlocated at the other end of the tank, back and into the saidfirst-mentioned portion of the electro-plating tank.

The purpose of the partition 7 hereinabove mentioned is twoe fold. Inthe first I place, it permits the apparatus to be used as a. double one,one tank serving as two plating baths, as will appear from the followingdetailed description of the apparatus, and from an insptection of thedrawings. In -the second place, however, this partition permits of amore advantageous and rapid circulation of the electrolyte within thetank, and prevents, in long tanks as is here the case,any eddies of theelectrolyte at the ends ofthe tank, that may be produced by the-twopropellers or agitators, and forcing the electrolyte from the ends ofthe tank toward the middle of the tank, where an objectionable swash ofthe electrolyte would consequently occur. Extending laterally across thesaid longitudinally extending chambers or compartments of the mainelectroplating tank and resting upon the upper edges of the sides ofsaid tank'are' suitably spaced supporting bars or plates 38 which aresuitably secured in their, fixed relations'to the tank by meansoftap-bolts, 39, or other suitable fastening devices, arid. suitablysecured 'to the under faces"of,th e said' supporting bars or plates 38,by means of tap-bolts 40, or other suitable fastening devices, aresuitablydisposed and -s'uitably constructed supporting and" guidinghangers, substantially as shown in Figsq-l3 and 14E- Each hangen-as-willbe seen 14, consists of a baee-plate'l from said'Fig. from which ex-- ofthe drawings.

' "plates, as 47,

tend downwardly a pair of arms, as 42, wh1ch are connected at theirlower ends by a plate-like portion43. Each plate-like'por- 'ease anotherset "of such supporting andguiding hangers may also be placed in theether longitudinally extending chamber or I compartment of themaintank.-

Referring now tofFigs. 13 and 14 of thedrawings, it will be seen thatupon the upper edges of the longitudinally extending sides of the maintank, so as to closethe '1 open spaces betweenf'the supporting cross-38, are suitably formed coverwhich are preferably made of bars or platesglass so that the action of the electrolyte in the longitudinallyextending chambers or compartments, as well themovements of the anodeand ca-thode through the electrolyte 1 maybe clearly observed by theoperator.

' Thesaid main tank, as

' ing 40 .pair of rods will be seen more particularly from an inspectionof Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is supported upon suitable standards orframes 48,and the longitudinally 49, suitably secured at their respective ends tothe vertical members of the frame-work 17 and 28. Extendhorizontallyfrom the cross-bar 16 are a which are connected with a pair ofverticalsupporting rods 51 and bearing portions 52 in which are suitablyjournaled the ends of a spindle '53 carrying a- 1 reel 54, upon which iswound, and adapted to be unreeled therefrom, a long strlp-or band 55 oflead, or other easily fusible metal} of any suitable cross-section.'This strip or of Fig.

band may alsO be provided with a multiplicity of suitably disposed holesor perforations 56, as will beseen from an inspection 4 of the drawings.Extending from the other end 4 of the main tank are longitudinallyextending side-pieces 57, the free ends of which are suitably connectedwith the vertical posts of a frame-work 58. Suitably mounted upon theto-p-meniber 'or crosspiece- 59 of said frame-work 58 is a standard orpost 60 provided at the top with opanounted a per-wire,

positely extending journal-arms 61 upon each of which is loosely androtatably reel 62-, upon which is wound copas 63, of a suitable gage.Suitably secured to the floor, and extending upwardly between theframe-work 58, is apother standard or post 64 which is also probeingframe,

' chute-like guide vided at the top with journal-arms 65, see Fig. 2,upon each of which is'loosely mounted a reel 66, upon which is wounda'copper-wire, same gage as the wire63. Suitably secured to across-beam,as 68, which is attached .to the lower surface of the crossbar12 7substantially as represented in Fig. 9 of the drawings, is abracket-like member 69, upon the spindle 7,0 of which are a number ofgrooved wheelsz or" rollers is a bar 72 and secured to the frame-pieces17 is another bar 73, and withtheir respective end-portionssuitablysecured to said bars 72and- 73 are an-' gul arly disposedmembers 74 which carry a oppositely extending as 67,, of the '71. Uponthe outer surface-y'of'ftlie endi3 of the main tank metal frame 75.-This. frame 75is made with bearing-members, as 76, formed with openportions 77, two of such open portions located in the upper part of saidtions being located in the lower part of the said frame. Botatablyarranged in each pair of said open portions 77 in the upper part of theframe grooved wheels or rollers 78, and similarly rotatably arranged ineach pair of said open portions 77 in'the lower part of frame 75 isanother pair of suitably grooved wheels or rollers 79. Connected withthe said frame 75, bymeansofa brace, as 80, or in an; other suit-ablemanner, is a guiding mem struction, and preferably in the form of a 81,over which the previously-mentioned strip or'band 55 of lead is adaptedto move and be properly guided into the electroplating'tank at the end 3thereof. The said chute-like guide 81 is also providedat its forwardend, with an upwardly extending ring-shaped or other suitably shapedmember 82, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fullyspecified. 1

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 12 of the drawings, it will beseen that there is rotatably mounted between the previouslymentioneduprights of the framework 58, a shaft or spindle 83 upon which, arekeyed'or otherwise permanently. secured, so as to re- 7 5 are suitablyformed er or element of any suitable con:

and another pair of such. open porthe volve with said shaft or spindle83, but, how- I ever, being capable of a sliding motion upon the saidshaft or spindle, a series of tion disks or plates 84; and, looselymounted upon said shaft or spindle, andbeing arfr1c-" ranged betweensaid disks or plates 84, with their sides in frictional contact withsaid disks or plates. are a series of winding-up reels 85. Thefrictional contact between the said reels 85 and the said disks orplates 84,

which varies from time to time, during the operation of the apparatus aswill'hereinof' compression springs 86 which are suit- 7 after more fullyappear,is produced by means i ably disposed upon said shaft or spindle83 and coiiperate with the other parts upon said shaft or spindle, aswill be clearly understood from an inspection of said Fig. 12. Rotatablymounted between a pair of framemembers 87, secured upon opposite sidesof the apparatus to the crossbar 27 and the longitudinally extendingside-pieces 57, is a horizontal shaft 88 upon which are secured a numberof tension or wire-pulling members 89, in this case in the form of fourgrooved rollers. Suitably mounted upon the frame-work of the apparatus,at a point between the said tension or wire-pulling members 89 and thewinding-up reels 85 is a suitable frame-work, as 90, provided withsuitably formed bearing-members 91 and 92 in which are rotatably mountedthe respective shafts 93 and 94, which are respectively provided withsuitably formed feed-rolls 95 and 96, rotary motion from the shaft beingconveyed from a gear-wheel 97 upon said shaft to a gear-wheel 98 uponthe shaft 93. Rotary motion is conveyed to said shaft 94 from an outsidesource of driving power by means of a belt 99 which runs upon apulleywheel 100 suitably mounted upon a shaft 101, running in bearings102 and 103. This shaft has also secured thereon a worm 104 which mesheswith a worm-wheel 105 upon said shaft 94, the parts being of suchconstruction that the desired speeds of the feedrolls and other parts ofthe apparatus will be obtained. It will be understood, however, that anyother suitable driving mechanism may be employed, if desired. The saidshaft 94 has also secured thereon a sprocket wheel 106 over which passesa link-chain 107 which also passes over a sprocket-wheel 108 uponthepreviously-mentioned shaft 88, upon which are mounted the tension orwirepulling members or grooved rollers 89, for revolving said shaft 88.Upon its opposite end-portion, this shaft 88 has mounted thereon asprocket-wheel, as 109, over which passes a link-chain 110, saidlink-chain 110 passing also over a sprocket-wheel 111 upon the shaft orspindle 83 for revolving said latter shaft, and the winding-up reels 85,in the manner herein-before set forth, by means of the friction disksand plates 84 upon said shaft 83.

efore starting the herein-above described mechanisms of the apparatus,prior to the electro-deposition of copper, or other metal, upon thepreviously-mentioned strip or band of lead 55, or other fusible metal, asufficient length of the strip or band 55 is unreeled from its carryingreel 54, said reeled-off portion of the strip or band is first passedthrough the ring-shaped member 82, and upon chute-like guide 81 at theend 3 of the apparatus. The end-portion of said reeled-off portion band55 is then pulled through the one lonof the strip or gitudinallyextending chamber or compartment of the main electroplating tank andpassed into and through the alined elongated openings 44 of the varioussupporting or guiding hangers hereinabove mentioned, the end-portion ofthe said strip or band 55 being passed in an upward direction from theother. end 4 of the electroplatin tank and arranged between and grippedhy the said feed-rolls 95 and 96. Portions of the copper wires 63 arealso unreeled from the two reels 62 and passed into the electroplatintank at the end 4 thereof. These reeled 0 portions of the two wires 63are pulled into and through the same longitudinally extending chamber orcompartment of the electroplating tank and into and through therespective holes or perforations 45 in said supporting or guidinghangers, the end-portions of the two wires 63 being passed in upwarddirections from the end 3 of the electroplating tank and passed aboutthe previously-mentioned grooved wheels or rollers 78. From thesegrooved wheels or rollers 78 the end-portions of the two wires 63 areagain passed into the electro-plating tank at the end 3 thereof, andinto and through the other remaining holes or perforations 45 in saidsupporting or guiding hangers, the said end-portions of the two wires 63being finally passed out of the electroplating tank at its end 4, andsecured to two of the said hereinbefore mentioned winding-up reels 85.Thus, itwill be seen, that the copper-wires 63, which serve as anodesduring the electroplating process are arranged above the upper surfaceof the band or strip 55, which is the cathode and moves into one end of,through, and out of the other end of the electroplating tank, but saidwires 63 moving similarly above said band or strip 55, into, through,and out of the tank, in one direction, and in the opposite directiononce more into, through, and out of the tank. Similar portions of thecopper Wires 67 are also unreeled from the two reels 66 and passed intothe electroplating tank at the end 4 thereof. These reeled oif portionsof the two wires 67 are also pulled into and through the longitudi'nally extending chamber or compartment of the electroplating-tank andinto and through the respective holes or perforations 46 in saidsupporting or guiding hangers, the end-portions of the said wires 67being passed in upward directions from the end 3 of the electroplatingtank and passed about the other set of hereinabove-mentioned groovedwheels or rollers 79. From these grooved wheels or rollers 79 tions ofthe two wires 67 are then again passed into the electroplating tank atthe end 3 thereof, and into and through the other remaining holes orperforations 46 in said supporting or guiding hangers, the said finallypassed out of the electroplating tank lyte to such a height that thesupported pornism herein-before described, the electro i the band orstrip 55 and the wires 63 and 67 end-portions of the two wires 67 beingat its end 4, and secured to another pair of said winding-up reels 85.It will thus be seen, that the said copper wires 67 are arranged belowthe lower surface of the said band or strip 55, and also serve asanodes, the said copper wires 67 moving also in reverse directionsfirst, into, through, and out of the electroplating tank, and secondly,again into, through, and out of said tank, as will be clearly understoodfrom an inspection of the several figures of the drawings.

The above described initial arrangement of having been produced, thecommunicating chambers or compartments of the electroplating tank aresupplied with the electrotions of said band orstrip 55 and of the wires63 and 67 are immersed in the electrolyte, and that during the movementsof the said anodes and cathode, into'and from the electroplating tank,and through the electrolyte, by means of the driving mechadeposition ofcopper from the anode takes place upon the cathode, as will be clearlyunderstood.

Having thus, in a general way, described one form of apparatus which isespecially adapted for use in the process or method of producing hollowelectrolytically deposited tape, ribbon, or hands, it remains to moreparticularly set forth the manner of producing the finished article ofmanufacture.

The electrolytic solution having been placed in the main tank, themachinery is set in motion, the flat strips or band 55 of easily fusiblemetal being drawn through the tank, entering at the end 3 thereof.Simulta neously, the wires 63 and 67. also travel through theelectrolyte, upon opposite sides of the band or strip, the said wirestraveling in opposite directions tothe movement of the band or strip 55,and then back again through the electrolyte in the tank, in the samedirection of the movement of the said strip or band The result is thatthe copper from the entering wireanodes is uniformly distributed uponthe entire surface-portions of the fusible metal-cathode band or strip55, the reduced wire being reeled upon the reels 5, for future use, orother by-products; and, the uniformly copper-plated band or strip beingcontinuously delivered at this opposite end 4 of the tank, and passingto a cutter, to be presently described in detail, where theelectro-plated band or strip is cut into sections of desired lengths.

complete electric circuit is established, from an outside source ofelectrical energy,

through the apparatus by means of a mam electric conductor 112,extending along the upright 28, at the end 4 of the apparatus, and alongthe one side of the'apparatus to the frame 75. Suitably connected withsaid frame 75 are'spring-like elements or brushes 113, having their freeend-portions resting lightly in contact with the respective copper wires63 and 67. The wires 63 and 67 serve to conduct the electric currentinto the electro-plating tank, the current passing through theelectrolyte, into the band or strip 55, and thence through thechute-like guide 81 and the ring-shaped member 82, and a pair ofconnector-plates or bars 114 and 115, through a return electricconductor 116. which-is arranged upon the side of the appa ratus, and iselectrically connected by means of a suitable electrical connection, as118', with the main return electric conductor 117.

In order to insure perfect electrical connections, and a positivelyacting electric de-1 positing circuit, there is preferably secured inany suitable manner to the main electric conductor 112, as at 119, aconductor-plate or strip 120 which is connected with a laterallyextending metal bar or plate 121. This bar or plate 121, as will be seenfrom. an inspection of Fig. 6 of the drawings, is electrically connectedby means of a metal plate 121, see Fig. 9, with a suitably-constructedmetal frame 122 in which are mounted suitable spring-like members orbrushes 123 which are in slidable electrical contact with the upperarrangement ofwires 63 near the end 1 of the apparatus. The wires 63serve to conduct the electric cur-- rent through the electrolyte in thetank into the metal band or strip 55. and by means of a spring-brush124C and an arm 125, said-brush 124- having its one end-portion inslidable contact with the band or strip 55 as it passes out of theelectroplating tank, the circuit is completed through said arm 125 witha contact-band or strip 126 and the electrical connection 118 with themain return electric conductor 117 Electrically connected with a portion127 of the conductor-plate or strip 120 is another electric conductor128 which makes contact with a conduct-bar 129. Extending from this bar129 are spring-like brushes 130 and 131, the brushes 130 being inelectrical contact with the shaft 88, which conducts the electriccurrent by means of the tension or wire-pulling members or groovedrollers 89 i tion 118, with the main return electric conductor 117, aswill be clearly evident.

In connection with the herein-before described apparatusthere may beemployed a suitably constructed cutting-means, which is electricallycontrolled. and acts automatically to cut or separate the copper-platedband, as it leaves the end 4 of the electroplating tank, intoshort-sections. One arrangement and operation of such cuttin means ismore particularly illustrated in Figs. 2, 5 8 and 16 of the drawings,and consists, essentially, of a suitable-base 132, suitably mounted upon.a portion 133 of the frame-work of the apparatus, said base 132 beingprovided with an upwardly extending and perforated post 134 upon whichis pivotally supported, by means of a pivot or bolt 135, a suitablyformed cutter-arm 136 provided with a knife or cutting-edge 137. Thisknife or cutting-edge 137 is adapted, during the downward stroke of saidarm 136, to be brought into cutting registration with the cuttingedge-portion 139 of a suitably formed cutter-bed or plate 138.Thenormally raised relation of the said cutter-arin 136 is produced,preferably, by means of a coiled spring 140, one end of which is securedto said arm 136 and the other end of the spring 140 being secured to aframe 141 which is also mounted upon the portion 133 of, the mainframe-work of the apparatus. The reference-character 142 indicates'acushioning or shock-absorbing spring with which the said arm 136 isadapted to be brought into contact during the downward stroke of saidarm. Suitably secured to the framework of the apparatus is a solenoid,as 143, withthe plunger 144 of which is pivotally connected, as at 146,a connecting-rod 145, said rod 145 having its upper end-portion alsopivotally connected, as at 147, with the free end-portion of the saidcuttenarm 136. Upon the base 132 of said cutting means is also suitablysecured an electric switch-plate, as 148, formed with a switch-contact,as 149. Pivotally connected with said switch-plate 148 is a switch-arm150, to the free end of which is pivotally connected, as at 151, anactuating link 152', the upper end-portion of which is pivotallyconnected with the cutterarm 136, as at 153. From an inspection of.

said Fig. 16, it will be seen, that during the downward stroke of thesaid cutter-arm 136,

v the said link 153 moves the switch-bar or arm 150 into its electricalcontact or circuit. establishing relation with the switch-contact 149for the purposes to be presently more fully set forth.

'In alinement with the outwardly moving end-portion of the copper-platedband is a supporting frame, as 154, in which is mounted anothersolenoid, as 155. Pivotally con- I nected with the plunger 156 of thissolenoid is a link-connection, as 157, with which is suitably connecteda pivotally arranged and spring-controlled contact-arm or lever 158,adapted at the proper time to be forced into a tilted position so thatit will make electrical contact with a suitable contact-post or bar, as159.

As will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 2 of the drawings, theoutwardly moving copper-plated end-portion of the fusible metal band,having passed between the two normally separate cutting portions 137 and139 of the cutting-mechanism, moves upon the frame 154 and is broughtcal contact with the arm or lever 158, thus tilting said arm or'levertoward the contactpost or bar 159, until said arm or lever is broughtinto engagement with said post or bar. Immediately an electric circuitis established through a main circuit-wire 160,

the solenoid 143, a circuit-wire 161 between said solenoid 143 and thecontact-post or bar 159, through the said contact-post or bar 159, andthe movable contact'arm or lever 158 in contact with said post or bar159, the electric circuit being completed by means of a circuit wire 162with the return maincircuit wire 163, tothe main source of electricalenergy, with which the said main circuit-wires 160 and 163 areconnected. A complete electric circuit having thus been establishedthrough the solenoid 143, and the latter having thus become energized,the plunger 144 is drawn in a downward direc tion into the coil of thesolenoid, with the result that the cutter-arm 136 suddenly moved in adownward direction, thereby causing its knife or cutting-edge 137 to cutoff a section of the e lectro-plated band, as will be clearlyunderstood. As soon as this piece of plated band has been cut-off, itdrops into a chute 164 and passes into a receptacle placed at the end ofthe chute for the collection therein of the several cut-ofi' sections.

Simultaneously with the cutting operation of the cutter-arm 136, thepreviously-mentioned switchbar or arm 150 makes an electrical contactwith the switch-contact 149, whereby a complete electric circuit isestablished through the main circuit-wire 160, a circuit-wire 165, thesolenoid 155, and a circuit wire 166, through the switch-arm 150 andswitch-contact 149, and a circuit-wire 167, through the mainreturn-circuit wire 163, whereby the solenoid 155 becomes energized anddraws the plunger 156 into said solenoid. This, action causes thecontactarm or lever 158 to be returiied toits normal initial position,thereby breaking the electrical contact between said arm or lever 158and the contact-post or bar 159, so that the electric circuit throughthe solenoid 143 is interrupted. This interruption permits the distendedspring 140 to return the cutterinto mechanisuitable water-conveying arm136 to its raised position, without interfering with the movement of thenext portion of the electro-plated band, ready for its next cuttinoperation to be performed in the manner ust described. 1

The reference-character 168 indicates a municates with a T-shape'dfitting or element, as 169, provided with a pair of laterally extendingsprinkler-pipes 170 and 171, and shut-off valves 172 and 173. Thesprinkler-pipes 170 and 171, as will be seen from an inspection of Fig.6 extend above and over the electroplating tank, and are for the purposeof spraying the electroplated metal band and copper wires, prior totheir passing from the end 4 of the electroplating tank, and to cleansethe said band and wires from any'of the electrolyte that may adherethereto.

After the electroplated band has passed from the end 4 of theelectroplating and has been cut or severed into sections of suitablelengths, the fusible lead or other metal core within each section isthereupon removed from the copper shell or skin,by the application ofheat, in any suitable manner, the said metal core being of such readilyfusible metal that it easily clears itself from the electrodeposited coper shell, and readily flows from within t e said copper shell or skin.4

From the foregoing description, and from an inspection 0 the drawmgs, itwill be clearly evident, that by the use of comparatively heavy wiresmoving, as anodes," into and through the electrolyte, these wires areconstantly being reduced, so that their crosssectional areas becomeless, and the wires will pass out of the electro-platin t'ank, after thereduction, in comparative y thin wires. wires is such that at the placeor point of'the heavy in-passin wires, there will also be the thinorgreat y reduced-out-going wires. The reduction of the wires is such, sothat the sum-total of the cross-sectional areas of all the wires will bethe same, or approximately the same. Thereby 1 an absolutely uniformdeposit from the wire-anodes constantly moving through the electrolyteand out again is obtained, since the surfaces of the anodes and thecathode do.n ot change in sizeduring or after any lengthof time, andthis, so far as I am at'present aware, is possible only by continuouslyfeeding into and out of the electro-plating tank, anodes in the form ofwires. In practice, I have found it desirable to use for the in-goingwires, wires ofNo. 7 or 8 gage, which pass from the tank as out-goingwires of No. 20 gage.

In the usual electro-plating processes, there is always .a loss in theanodes of about 50 per cent, in the form of scrap copper, while with thepresent method of passing pipe which comtank The arrangement of theseveral the reduced wire automatically from the tank upon reels, thereis no labor re-. quiredin handling or removin the scrapanodes from thetank; there will be no loss of electrolyte clinging to the scrap anodesas they are being removed. It will also be evident, in the present case,that the reduced wire, say to a N0. 20 gage, as a by-product, has agreater market value than the No." 7 or 8 gage of the inpassingwire-anodes. Therefore, there not only is no loss in anode-copper, but amore valuable article, in the form of a thin copper wire which isproduced from the less valuable copper wire passed into theelectroplating tank during the process of electroplating, andelectrolytic solution. Of course it will be understood, that accordingto existing conditions and the work to be performed, ingoing wires oflarger. or smaller gage may be used, the out oing wires during theprocess of plating eing reduced accordingly, and the time of movement ofthe .wires through the electrolyte also being varied as occasiondemands.

Of course I am fully aware that some changes may be made in the generalarrange ments and combinations of the various devices and parts, as wellas in the the construction of, the said parts, comprising theherein-above described electroplating apparatus, without departing fromthe scope of the present invention as set forth in the foregoingspecification and as defined and, urthermore,

details of in the clauses of the claims which are appended thereto.Hence, I do not limit my present invention to the exact arrangements andcombinations of the said devices and parts as described in the saidspecification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of theconstruction of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

I claim 2- 1. In an electroplating apparatus, adapted to contain anelectrolyte, means for continuously drawing a band of metal, forming thecathode, into said tank, through the electrolyte in said tank, and outof said tank,

and means for drawing wire. forming the anode, into said tank, throughthe electrolyte in said tank, and out of said tank.

2. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, means for continuously drawing a band of metal, forming thecathode, into said tank, through the electrolyte in said tank, and outof said tank, means for drawing wire, forming the anode, into said tank,through the electrolyte in said tank, and out of said tank, and acutting means for severing the electroplated band into sections.

3. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank divided by a partition so asto provide the tank with longitudinally extending coma tank;

partrnents adapted to contain an electrolyte, said compartments having ameans of communication at their respective ends, and agitating deviceslocated in said compartments for producing a continuous circulation ofthe electrolyte through said compartments.

4. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank divided by a partition so asto provide the tank with longitudinally extending compartments adaptedto contain an electrolyte, said compartments having a means ofcommunication at their respective ends, agitating devices located insaid compartments for producing a continuous circulation of theelectrolyte through said compartments, means for continuously drawing aband of metal, forming the cathode, into said tank, through theelectrolyte in said tank, and out of said tank, and means for drawingwire, forming the anode, into said tank, through the electrolyte in saidtank, and out of said tank.

5. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank divided by a partition so asto provide the tank with longitudinally extending compartments adaptedto contain an electrolyte, said compartments having a means ofcommunication at their respective ends, agitating devices located insaid compartments for producing a continuous circulation of theelectrolyte through said compartments, means for continuously drawing aband of metal, forming the cathode, into said tank, through theelectrolyte in said tank, and out of said tank, means for drawing wire,forming the anode, into said tank, through the electrolyte in said tank,and out of said tank, and a cutting means for severing the electroplatedband into sections.

6. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, cylindrically formed tubular elements located ateach endwithin said tank, a longitudinally extending partition within said tankand extending from one tubular element to the other tubular element, soas to provide the tank with longitudinally extending compartments, eachtubular element having a lower and an upper cutaway portion providing ameans of communication between said compartments, a vertical rotaryspindle in each tubular element, and a propeller connected with eachspindle and located within each tubular element, all arranged forproducing a continuous circulation of the electrolyte through saidcompartments.

7. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, cylindrically formed tubular elements located at each endwithin said tank, a longitudinally extending partition within said tankand extending from one tubular element to the other tubular element, soas to provide the tank with longitudinally extending compartments, eachtubular element having a lower and an upper cut-away portion providing ameans of communication between said compartments, a vertical rotaryspindle in each tubular element, and a propeller connected with eachspindle and located within each tubular element, all arranged forproducing a continuous circulation of the electrolyte through saidcompartments, means for continuously drawing a band of metal, formingthe cathode, into said tank, through the electrolyte in said tank, andout of said tank, and means for drawing wire, forming the anode, intosaid tank, through the electrolyte in said tank, and out of said tank.

8. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, cylindrically formed tubular elements located at each endwithin said tank, a longitudinally extending partition within said tankand extending from one tubular other tubular element, so as to providethe tank with longitudinally extending compartments, each tubularelement having a lower and an upper cut-away portion pro viding ameansof communication between said compartments, a vertical rotary spindle ineach tubular element, a propeller connected with each spindle andlocated within each tubular element, all arranged for producing acontinuous circulation of the electrolyte through said compartments,means for continuously drawing a band of metal, forming the cathode,into said tank, through the electrolyte in said tank, and out of saidtank, means for drawing wire, forming the anode, into said tank, throughthe electrolyte in said tank and out of said tank, and a cutting meansfor severing the electroplated band into sections.

9. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, means for continuously drawing a band of metal, forming thecathode, in one direction into the tank, through the electrolyte in saidtank, and out of said tank, means for drawing wire, forming the anode,into said tank, through the electrolyte in said tank, and out of saidtank, and means for reversing the direction of the wire and causing thewire to be again drawn into the tank, through the electrolyte therein,and out of the tank.

10. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, means for continuously drawing a band of metal, forming thecathode, in one direction into the tank, through the eleptrolyte in saidelement to the tank, and out of said tank, means for drawrat-roar "9"electrolyte therein, and out of-the tank, and said tank, said hangersbeing also provided a cutting means for severing the electrowith aplurality of holes, for thesupportplated band into sections. therein ofwires, forming anodes, means for 11. In an electroplating apparatus, atank drawing said wires into the tank, through divided by a partition soas to provide the the-holes in said hangers, and out ,of said tank withlongitudinally extending .com-' tank, and alcutting means for severingthe partments adapted to contain an electrolyte, electroplated band intosections. said compartments having a means of com- I11 a ctp g pp ratfillk munication at their respective ends, agitatadapted to contain anelectrolyte, guiding 16 ing devices located in saidcompartments for g rsmounted, in sai tank, each hanger producing a continuous circulation ofeleci g Provided t a laterally extending trolyte through saidcompartments, means elongated pen ng f r the PPDI h re n of forcontinuously drawing a band of metal, a metal band, orming the Cathode,me ns forming the cathode, in one direction into f lf g S band into Saidtank,

15 the tank, through the electrolyte in said h gh Said elongated pe gand out tank, an put of said tank, means for drawof a tan a hangers e ngl o'pw ing wire, forming th a ode, int id t k, vided with a plurality ofholes, located in through the electrolyte in said tank, and out pl neabove and below h l ng d'open- Qf id t k, and ans for reversing the ingineach hanger, for the support therein "Q5 direction of the wire andcausing the wire to, of Wir s, forming anodes, and means for be againdrawn into the tank,=through the; drawing s .W intf) t mk', hroughelectrolyte ther i d o t f th t k the upper and lower rows of holes insaid I 12. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank, ang rs, 011,t 0f Saidtankdivided by a partition so as to provide the a ,16. In anelectroplating apparatus, a tank 53 tank with longitudinally extendingcomadapted to contain an electrolyte, guiding partments adapted 0contain an electrolyte, ng mounted in Said nk; a h hanger saidcompartments aving a means of combeing provided with a laterallyextending munication at their respective ends, agitatelongated openingIEO! the pport therein of ing devices located in said compartments for ametal band, forming the cathode, means g5 producing a continuouscirculation of the 1 d a ng a n d ank,

, electrolyte through said compartments, hrOiIghSaid elongated Openings,and out of means for continuously drawing a band of said tank, idhangers being also pr vided metal, forming the cathode, in one directionwith a plurality of holes, located in planes into the tank, through theelectrolyte in said above v and below the elongated opening in 315 tank,and out of said tank, means for draweach hanger, for the support thereinof 66 ing wire, forming the anode, into said tank, wires, forming anodesmeans for drawing through the electrolyte in said tank, and out saidwires into the tank, through the upper of said tank, and means forreversing the and lower rows of holes in said hangers, and direction ofthe wire and ausing the wire out of said tank, and a cutting means forse- 40 to be again drawn into the tank, through, verin'g theelectroplated band into sections. 65 the electrolyte therein, and out ofthe tank, 17 In an electroplating apparatus, 'a tank and a cutting meansfor severing the elecadapted to contain an electrolyte, guidingt-roplated band into sections. hangers mounted in said tank, each hanger13. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank being provided with alaterally extending 45 adapted to contain an electrolyte, guidingelongated opening for the support therein of 11a hangers mounted in saidtank, each hanger a metal band, forming the cathode, means beingprovided with a laterally extending for drawing said band into saidtank,

elongated opening for thesupport therein oi through said elongatedopenings, and out of a metal band, forming the cathode, means said tank,said hangers being also provided 50 for drawing said" band into saidtank, with a plurality of holes for the support through said elongatedopenings, and out therein of wires, forming anodes, means for of saidtank, said hangers being also pro drawing said wires into said tank,through vided with a plurality of holes for the sup some of saidopenings, and out of the tank,

port therein of wires, forming anodes, and and means for reversing thedirection of M 55 means for drawing said wires into the tank, said wiresand causing the wires to be again no through the holes in said hangers,and out of drawn into the tank, through others of said said tank.openings in said hangers, and out of the 14. In an electroplatingapparatus,- a tank tank. adapted to contain an electrolyte, guiding 18.In an electroplating apparatus, a tank 60 hangers mounted in said tank,each hanger adapted to contain an electrolyte, guiding being providedwith a laterally extending hangers mounted in said tank, each hangerelongated opening for the support therein of being provided with alaterally extending a metal band, forming the cathode, means elongatedopening for the support therein for drawing said band into said tank, ofa metal band, forming the cathode,meaus 55 through said elongatedopenings, and out of for drawing said band into said tank,

through said elongated openings, and out of said tank, said hangersbeing also provided with a plurality of holes for the support therein ofwires, forming anodes, means for drawing said wires into said tank,through some of said openings, and out of the tank, and means forreversing the direction of said wires and causing the wires to be againdrawn into the tank, through others of said openings in said hangers,and out of the tank, and a cutting means for severing the electroplatedband into sections.

19. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, guiding hangers mounted in said tank, each hanger beingprovided with a laterally extending elongated opening for the supporttherein of a metal band, forming the cathode, means for drawing saidband into said tank, through said elongated openings, and out of saidtank, said hangers being also provided with a plurality of holes,located in planes above and below the elongated opening in each hangerfor the support therein of wires, forming anodes, means for drawing saidwires into said tank, through some of the holes in the upper row andthrough some of the holes in the lower row of said holes in the hangers,and out of the tank, and means for reversing the direction of said wiresand causing the wires to be again drawn into the tank, through some ofthe holes in the upper row and through some of the holes in the lowerrow of said holes in the hangers, and out of said tank, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

20. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, guiding hangers mounted in said tank, each hanger beingprovided with a laterally extending elongated opening for the supporttherein of a metal band, forming the cathode, means for drawing saidband into said tank, through said elongated openings, and out of saidtank, said hangers being also provided with a plurality of holes locatedin planes above and below the elongated opening in each hanger for thesupport therein of wires, forming anodes, means for drawing said wiresinto said tank, through some of the holes in the upper row and throughsome of the holes in the lower row of said holes in the hangers, and outof the tank, and means for reversing the direction of said wires andcausing the wires to be again drawn into the tank, through some of theholes in the upper row and through some of the holes in the lower row ofsaid holes in the hangers, and cut of said tank, and a cutting means forsevering the electroplated band into sections.

21. In an electroplating apparatus. a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, a reel at one end of said tank upon which is wound a metalband, forming the cathode, feed-rollntros? ers at the other end o thetank for drawing said band into the tank, through the electrolyte insaid tank, and out of said tank, windingoff reels located at one end ofsaid tank carrying wires, forming anodes, means at the other end of thetank for drawing the wires into the tank, through the electrolytetherein, and out of the tank, and winding-up reels located at the end ofthe tank with said winding-off reels for drawing the wires back into thetank, through the electrolyte therein, and out of the tank,substantially as and for the pur poses set forth.

22. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, a reel at one end of said tank upon which is wound a metalband, forming the cathode, feed-rollers at the other end of the tank fordrawing said band into the tank, through the electrolyte in said tank,and out of said tank, winding-off reels located at one end of said. tankcarrying wires, forming anodes, means at the other end of the tank fordrawing the wires into the tank, through the electrolyte therein, andout of the tank, and winding-up reels located at the end of the tankwith said winding-off reels for drawing the wires back into the tank,through the electrolyte therein, and out of the tank, and a cuttingmeans for severing the electroplated band into sections.

23. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to\ contain anelectrolyte, a reel at one end of said tank upon which is wound a metalband, forming the cathode, feed-rollers at the other end of the tank fordrawing said band i to the tank, through the electrolyte in said tank,and out of said tank, winding ofi' reels located at one end of said tankcarrying wires, forming anodes, means at the other end of the tank fordrawing the wires into the tank, through the elec trolyte therein, andout of the tank, and differentially rotatable Windingup reels located atthe end of the tank with said winding-oft reels for drawing the wiresback into the tank, through the electrolyte therein, and out of thetank, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

24. In an electroplating apparatus, a tank adapted to contain anelectrolyte, a reel at one end of said tank upon which is wound a metalband, forming the cathode, feedrollers at the other end of the tank fordrawing said band into the tank, through the electrolyte in said tank,and out of said tank, winding-off reels located at one end of said tankcarrying wires, forming anodes, means at the other end of the tank fordrawing the wires into the tank, through the electrolyte therein, andout of the tank, and differentially rotatable windingup reels located atthe end of the tank with said winding-off reels for drawing the wiresback into

